PSYCHOSOMATIC DISORDERS AND THERAPEUTIC COMPLIANCE REGARDING COVID -19 SUSCEPTIBLE PATIENTS: INTERVENTION STUDY

Abstract
Background: Spread of the COVID-19 disease has intensely affected the psychosomatic and physical wellbeing of the general population, including patients with chronic illness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of intervention study on psychosomatic disorders and therapeutic compliance regarding COVID-19 susceptible patients. Design: A quasi experimental design was used in carrying out this study. Subjects: A purposeful sample of 30 COVID- 19 susceptible patients in pre-test as well as the same sample in post-test was recruited for the study at Outpatients’ clinics in Zagazig University Hospitals. Seven tools were used in this study; A structured Interviewing Questionnaire for patients, Observational Checklists, Beck Anxiety Inventory Scale, Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, Athens Insomnia Scale, and Therapeutic Compliance Scale. Results: Statistically significant improvements were detected in patients’ knowledge, practice, and therapeutic compliance post intervention. There were statistically significant decreases of psychosomatic disorders as anxiety, depression, stress and insomnia for COVID-19 susceptible patients post intervention. Conclusions: Intervention study was effective in improving patients' knowledge which consequently reflected on improving their practices and therapeutic compliance. In addition, these changes were effective in relieving psychosomatic disorders for COVID-19 susceptible patients. Recommendation: It is recommended that the developed illustrated booklet to be available for those patients in all health care settings.